Combination high and low voltage lamp



Aug. 27, 1935. L. G. DANIELS 2,012,419

COMBINATION HIGH AND LOW VOLTAGE LAMP Filed Feb. 13, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 27, 1935. L. G. DANIELS 2,012,419

COMBINATION HIGH AND LOW VOLTAGE LAMP Filed Feb. 13, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 cor-responding memes An 27, '1935 PATENT OFFICE 1,012,419 conmnu'rron mun AND LOW VOLTAGE Lee G. Daniels, mum-s, 111.

Application February 13, 1933, Serial No. 656,495

Claims.

This invention relates to a new and improved lamp.

Ultraviolet and infra-red lamps are now available, each adapted to serve only the one purpou. This necessitates having entirely too much equipment for the average household user, both from the standpoint, of the'outlay in money and the space taken up when the lamps are not in use. It is, therefore, the principal object of my invention to provide a three W lamp; that is, one adapted by virtue of its special construction for use as an ultraviolet, infra-red, or ordinary reading lamp, whereby to make all of th'ae facilities available at a low cost well within the reach of the majority of prospective purchasers and in sucha compact and handy form as to be suitable for use insmaller homes and apartments and wherever storage space is an item to be considered.

Another object is to provide a lamp, the bulb carrying head of which is so constructed that low voltage is availablethrough a step-down transformer when connected on a standard 110 volt lighting circuit, whereby to permit use therein of an ultraviolet mercury bulb or other low voltage appliance, the head being further constructedsothatanadaptermaybeinserted therein to isolate the transformer and provide 'bulbinplaceandindicatingareadinglampbulb iudottediines;

Fig.4is similarviewbutshowingtheadapter removed and an ultraviolet lamp bulb in place; Fig.5isacross-sectionontheiinel-iofl'lg. 3,and

Hs.6isasectionsimilarto l ig.8butah0wing amodifledoonstruction.

Thesame reference numeralsare applied to thromhonttheviewa neferringflrsttomlandzthelampofmy inventionhasaholiowstandardtrisingtrmna hollow base I, and preferably a flexible neck I is provided on the upper end of the standard car-- rying the head, in which. the special socket hereinafter described is provided and on which the reflector I I is mounted. As a matter of convenience in turning the lamp on or oil, I prefer tohave the extension cord ll enter thestandard 6 about halfway up from the base with the switch I! disposed next to the standard where it may be easily reached by the user while sitting in or lying down. A step-down transformer II is mounted inthe base so as to be out of the way and add weight to the base for stability. The three wires II, I! and 16 indicatedin Fig. 2 as having connection with the transformer. are ex- 15 tended through the standard 6 to the head I for connection with the appropriate ones of the group of terminals indicated at IT. For the time being itwillsumcetosaythat thisgroup comprises terminals II, I. and 20 connected as ingo dicated to the 'wires I4, I! and It, respectively. The line connections from cord II are with the wires ll and I as shown. From this much description it will be seen that the terminal parts 18 and I! are for low voltage, and theterminai 5 parts II and I. for high voltage. In the case of low voltage use of the lamp, as for example with an ultraviolet lamp bulb cooperating with terminal'parts II and Is, there is high voltage imposed on the primary 2| of the transformer II,

the circuit being from one side of the linethrough the primarywinding ii to the other side of'the line. Low voltage is secured by induction into the secondary winding I2 and is imposed on the terminalpartsilandllbyreasonoftheircon- -nection with saidwinding through wires l4 and II. In the case of high voltage use of the lamp, asforexamplawhenareadimlampbulbor infra-red lamp bulb is connecwd across terminal parts ll and II, it is evident that the transformer 40 liisisolatedtheparts I andllbeingindirect connection with the "opposite sides of the line through wires l4 and It. There will, of course, be a slight amount of seepage" current flow beformer 13 being connected acrou the line, but

thislossisn sliaible.

Referring now tongs. 3-5,-it will be observed thattheterminalpartsllandliareportionsd 4 cause of the primary winding ll-of th'e transasocketsecuredtotherearwallof'theheadlal bymeansofscrewsfl. Thepartl l istheoenter terminalofthissocket, whichislikeaconventhe threadedshelipartll isoflargerdiameter thantheshell-ofastanda'rdlampsocheaanllis as is, of course, connected with the end 24 engaging the terminal l9, and the other end of the filament is connected with the tip terminal 21 engaging the terminal l8, as shown, thus completing the low voltage circuit through the bulb, using terminal parts l8 and I9. It is apparent that under these conditions the third terminal 20 of the group previously referred to is not used. It is mounted on the plate 2.8 of insulation material, fastened in the front part of the head 9, as by screws appearing in Fig. 5. The plate 28 has an opening 29 therein large enough to have the neck of the bulb pass freely therethrough, as appears in Fig. 4.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 5, I shall now describe how the terminal 20 is used in connection with an infra-red lamp bulb 30 or an ordinary reading lamp bulb 3 I, which operates on line voltage independent of any connection with the transformer l3. An adapter, indicated generally by the numeral 32, fits in the socket formed by terminals |8-| 9 and serves by contact with the terminal 20 to switch from low voltage to high voltage, that is, it makes electrical connection with conductors I4 and I9 and isolates the conductor IS. The adapter 32 comprises a plug 33 threading in the socket |8-|9, and a socket 34 carried on said plug and arranged to enter the hole 29 in the plate 28 and have electrical contact with the terminal 20. The plug 33 is of insulating material so as to isolate the terminal l9 and its conductor l5, but a terminal 35 extends lengthwise through the center of the plug to establish electrical contact with the terminal |8, as shown. Now, when the bulb 3|] or 3| is entered in the socket 34 of the adapter, its threaded end 36 makes contact with the wall of the socket in the usual way, and the tip 31 makes contact with the terminal 35, thus establishing electrical connection with the terminals 2|] and I8, respectively. A shell 38 is provided as a housing for the socket 34 and is of metal to serve as a conductor between the terminal 20 and the socket. A rim 39 of insulation material is provided on the outer end of the shell 38 to permit handling the adapter 32 without danger of getting a shock. The center hole 40 in the reflector I0 is large enough to admitthe adapter freely. The termin a1 20. it will now be observed, is in the form of a coiled tension spring stretched between two screws 4| and 42 carried on the front of the plate 28. The conductor l6 has connection with the screw 42, and a short wire 43 extends from the screw 42 over to the screw 4|, so that current flows through .the spring 20 from both ends, instead of from only one end. In that way there is no likelihood of the spring heating up to the point of losing its tension. The spring is so disposed with respect to the opening 29 that it has to be forced out of the way when theadapter 32 is screwed in place, and there is, therefore, a good electrical connection established by reason of the pressure of the spring against the shell 38 of the socket 34.

The adapter 32, it will be observed, has the socket 34 of smaller size than the socket |8-|9 so as to permit inserting a bulb having a smaller voltage.

sized threaded end than the bulb 25, ultraviolet mercury bulbs being made with a larger end than other bulbs, as stated before. Now, while the adapter 34 is constructed to provide for the insertion of a smaller bulb and one operating on different voltage, it should be understood that my invention is not to be regarded as limited to that type of adapter alone, but might be embodied in an adapter providing for either a different sized bulb or a bulb' to operate on different That is to say, the adapter might be of the form shown in Fig. 6 making connection with terminals l8 and I9 instead of l8 and 29, in which event the bulb inserted in the adapter will, of course, operate on the same voltage as a bulb inserted in the permanent socket, except that a low voltage bulb inserted in the adapter will operate continuously on about 32 volts and not be subject to a drop in voltage, like a sunlamp bulb, which, as stated before, starts on about 32 volts and, as soon as heated, uses about |2 volts. On the other hand, the adapter may be of a form making connection with terminals l8 and 20, without necessarily providing for the insertion of a different sized bulb.

Referring to Fig. 6, the adapter 32' has a socket 34 of smaller size than the socket |8|9 so to permit inserting an ordinary 32 volt bulb 3| for reading purposes. The terminal 20 and plate 28 previously described are omitted in this form of the invention because this adapter 32 is 'constructed to make connection only with terminals l8 and I9. Terminal 35 on the plug 33 contacts the terminal I8 as shown. The shell 38 provided as a housing for the socket 34 makes conchanged to include the additional terminal 29 shown in Fig. 3. mother words; this adapter is applicable to existing sunlamps and enables the owner to use low voltage bulbs for reading purposes.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding of the objects and ad vantages of my invention. The appended claims have been drawn with a view to covering all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim: 1. A high-low voltage lamp comprising a head adapted to support a lamp bulb, three electrical conductors extended to the head, the first and third conductors arranged to have line voltage impressed thereon, a step-down transformer having the primary winding thereof connected across the first and third conductors and the secondary winding thereof ,connected across the first and second conductors, means in said head to-receive the lamp bulb comprising insulated terminals for electrical connection with the bulb, and means for selectively rendering effective only the first and third or the first and second conductors in connection with the terminals, the first and third giving high voltage independent of the transformer and the first and second civing low voltage in accordance with the ratio of said transformer.

There is no drop in voltage under 'rcarwardly disposed with respect to the open 2. A high-low voltage lamp comprising a head adapted to support a lamp bulb, three electrical conductors extended to the head, the first and third conductors arranged to have line voltage impressed thereon. a transformer having the primary winding thereof connected across the first and third conductors and the secondary winding thereof connected across the first and second conductors, means in said head to receive the lamp bulb comprising insulated terminals for electrical connection with the bulb, and means for selectively rendering efiective only the first and third or the first and second conductors in connection with the terminals, the first and third giving one voltage and the first and-second giving a difierent voltage, depending on the ratio of the transformer. ii. A high-low, voltage lamp comprising a head adapted to support a lamp bulb, three electrical conductors extended to the head, the first and .third conductors arranged to have line voltage impressed thereon, a transformer having the primary winding thereof connected across the first and third conductors and the secondary winding thereof connected'across the first and second conductors, means in said head to receive a lamp bulb comprising three insulated terminals connected respectively with the three conductors, the first and second terminals being const'ructed to receive a low voltage lamp bulb therebetween. independent of electrical connection with .the third terminal, and an adapter constructed to receive a high voltage lamp bulb and =connect the same with the first and third terminals, independent of electrical connection with the second terminal.

4. In combination, a lamp socket having two insulated terminals, and a plug adapted to be removably entered in said socket, said plug com-,

prising a body of insulation material for isolatingonefthetwoterminalsofsaidsocket,anda

centerterminal on the plug for -electricalconnection with the other terminal of said socket, and a companion terminal on the plug for the 6. In combination, a reflector, a casing behind a central opening provided therein, a lamp socket in said casing adapted directly to receive therein a lamp bulb entered in said opening and projecting in front of said reflector, a plug entered in .said socket so as to connectwith one of the electric current at line voltage, a transformer connected. therewith, otherconductor means connected with the transformer for supplying electric current at below line voltage to said socket for said low voltage lamp bulb, a secondarysochetmoimtedinsaidfirstsocketsoasto isolate the low voltage conductor means, and other conductor means connected with the line conductorsforslmplyingelectric currenttosaid secondary socket at line voltage.

'I.Inaatructureoftheclassdeacrlbed,acasmanben 45 center terminal to form a secondary lamp socket.

front of said casing, said members being parts of a lamp-socket, a third terminal member in said casing in front of the other terminal members, and a second lamp socket carried on a plug constructed for entry removably in the first socket;

the second socket comprising two terminal members electrically insulated with respect to each other, the one being disposed so as to be brought into electrical contact with one of the first two terminal members when the plug is entered in the first socket and the other being disposed so as to be brought into electrical contact with the third terminal member at the same time, there being electrical conductors permanently connected with the first three mentioned terminal members whereby to supply electric current to either of the sockets.

8. In an electric socket for lamps-or the like, a casing, a pair of different sized sockets forinterchangeable use in said casing, the one being permanently mounted in said casing and the other having a plug portion thereon for entry in the first socket for removably mounting the same in said casing, electrical conductors connected .with the permanent socket mounted in the casing, terminal means mounted in the casing so as to have electrical connection with the second socket when the same is entered in the first socket, and additional electrical conductor means for said terminal means.

9. In an electric socket for lamps or the like, a casing, a pair of diflerent sized sockets adapted for interchangeableuse in said casing, the one being permanently mounted in said casing and the other having a plug arranged to be removably received in the first socket, electrical conductors for the first socket, said plug having a terminal thereon disposed so as to make electrical connection with one of the conductors of the first socket when the second socket is mounted thereon, a terminal "carrying plate permanently moimted in the casing in front of the first socket and having an opening provided therein to receive the second socket when the same is mounted in the first socket, so as to make electrical connection with the other terminal of the second socket, and a separate electrical conductor connected with the terminal on said plate.

10. A structure as set forth in claim 9 wherein the terminal on said plate comprises a tension springdisposedsoastohavesliding electrical contact with the second socket when the same is entered in opening in said plate, the conductor for said terminal having electrical connection with opposite ends thereof for the purpose described.

11. In an interchangeable lamp, a casing, are}.

atively' large two-terminal socket permanently mounted in said casing capable of receiving the shank portion of a sunlampiwith a working fit, a plug constructed like the shank portion of such a lamp for entry removably in said socket, a smaller sized two-terminal socket carried on said plugandcapableofreceivingthes'mallershank socket in said plug being disposed so as to make electrical connection with the last mentioned conductor when the plug is entered in the socket.

12. In a lamp of the Character described, a permanent socket, electrical conductors for supplying electric current at different voltages, an adapter socket constructed for entry removably in said permanent socket, the adapter socket being adapted to receive lamp bulbs or other appliances, certain of the conductors being effective for the permanent socket, and means engageable by said adapter socket when entered in said permanent socket arranged to render different conductors operative.

13. In a lamp of the type described having a transformer and three terminals, a permanent socket constituting two of said terminals, and means cooperating with the permanent socket to render effective a third terminal in association with one of the terminals of the permanent socket, two of the three terminals giving line voltage independently of the transformer and another two of the three terminals giving a different voltage through the transformer.

14. In an all purpose lamp, in combination with a transformer, a permanent socket, an adapter socket adapted to be entered removably in the permanent socket, means providing electrical connections between the transformer and the permanent socket permitting use in said, socket of an ultraviolet lamp bulb or the like operating at less than line voltage, and means providing connections independent of the transformer with the adapter socket permitting use in said socket of infra-red, therapeutic, or lighting lamp bulbs operating at line voltage.

15. In an all purpose lamp, in combination with a transformer connected with line conductors, a permanent socket, an adapter socket entered removably in the permanent socket, means providing electrical connections between the transformer and the permanent socket permitting use in said socket upon removal of the adapter socket of an ultraviolet lamp bulb or the like operating with a variable voltage through said transformer, and 'means providing electrical connections through the adapter socket with the transformer permitting use in said socket of other lamp bulbs or the like operating with substantially constant voltage.

16. In a device of the character described, in combination with a transformer connected with line conductors, a permanent socket, an adapter socket, means providing connections between the transformer and the permanent socket for operation in said socket of an appliance at a voltage differing from the line voltage in accordance with the transformer ratio, and-means providing connections between the adapter socket and the line conductors through the permanent socket whereby to permit operation of an appliance at line voltage inserted in the adapter socket.

17. In a device of the character described, in combination with a transformer connected with line conductors, a permanent socket, an adapter socket, means providing connections between the transformer and one of said sockets to supply the same with voltage different from line voltage, and means providing connections between the line conductors and the other socket independently of the transformer to supply the same with line voltage, whereby to permit operation in the one device .of appliances at line voltage or appliances at another voltage differing from line voltage in accordance with the transformer ratio.

18. In an ultraviolet lamp, in combination with a transformer connected with line conductors, a permanent socket of a special larger size adapted for use therein of an ultraviolet lamp bulb and electrically connected with the transformer for that purpose, an adapter socket of a smaller size suitable for use therein of ordinary lamp bulbs and screwed removably into the permanent socket, said adapter socket having a flange of non-conducting material on the outer end to be gripped in the hand in the insertion of said socket, and means providing electrical connections for the adapter socket through the permanent socket with said transformer.

19. In a lamp of the type described, line conductors, a transformer connected therewith, a permanent stationary socket and a removable adapter socket screwed into the permanent socket, and means providing connections between the sockets and the line conductors and transformer to, supply one of said sockets with low voltage and the other with line voltage whereby to permit operation in one of said sockets of an ultraviolet lamp bulb of low voltage, and use in the other socket of a lamp of higher voltage.

20. A device of the class described comprising in combination a reflector, a housing for a lamp socket structure behind an opening provided in the reflector, a permanent socket in said housing at a predetermined distance from the opening adapted directly to receive an elongated lamp bulb entered in the opening and projecting in front of said reflector, an adapter socket having a plug portion removably received in the permanent socket so as to support the adapter socket closer to the reflector opening, whereby it is adapted to receive a shorter lamp bulb therein projecting in front of said reflector, and electrical conductors electrically connected with the socket structure.

21. A device of the class described comprising in combination a reflector, a housing for a lamp socket structure behind an opening provided in said reflector, a. permanent socket in said housing adapted normally to receive a sunlamp bulb entered through the opening and projecting in front of the reflector, conductors for supplying electric current at a certain line voltage, a transformer connected therewith, conductors connected with the transformer and having electrical connection with said socket to operate a sunlamp bulb at variable low voltage, and a secondary socket removably mounted in the permanent socket and entered in said permanent socket through the aforesaid reflector opening, the secondary socket having electrical connection with the first socket and adapted to receive other lamp bulbs and support the same projecting in front of the reflector.

22. A device of the class described comprising in combination a reflector, a housing for a lamp socket structure behind an opening provided in said reflector, a larger sized permanent socket in said housing spaced from the opening sufficiently to permit entering only an elongated sunlamp bulb having the required largersized shank to fit in said socket; and prevent entering other bulbs, an adapter socket having a proper sized plug portion to enter the permanent socket, the adapter socket being smaller sized and of the proper length to reach to a. predetermined close proximity to the reflector opening when mounted in the permanent socket,-whereby it will receive lamp bulbs having smaller sized shank portions and support the same projecting in front otthereflectonandprevententeringamnlamp bulb. and electrical conductors electrically connected with the socket structure.

23.Adeviceoitheclassdescribedcomprising in combination a reflector, a housing for a lamp socketstmcturebehindanopeningprovidedin said reflector, a lamp socketinsaidhousing at a predetermined distancetrqntheweningsols to receive a oertainelongatedbulb -ntered I through the opening and projecting in the redwtor to'a predetermined distance. electrical conductors electrically connected with said eocket,aseparateterminaimembermolmtsdin thehousingbetweenthesocketandtheopening so'astopermittreeentryintosaidsocketoithe aioresaid lamp bulb but make electrical connection withanadapterwhenlubetituted!orthe provided therein, a permanent socket disposed behind'and spaced from the reflector in approximately coaxial alignment with said opening, a transformer connected with the socket and nor- 'mallyarrangedtooperateasimlampbmbtherein at variable low voltage, and an adapter entered it) in said socket and projecting toward the opening in the reflector and having a socket disposed in a diflerent relation to the reflector than the first mentionedsocketendadaptedtoreceive an elec;

tric light bulb arranged to operate at substanl5 tially constant low voltage.

. LEI G. DANIELS. 

